Two arrested at burglary scene in Electric City

Two young men face first-degree burglary charges following a midnight break-in at 16 W. Coulee Boulevard in Electric City last Wednesday.

Police Chief Mel Hunt stated Monday that damages to the building and to items in the building amounted to about $6,200.

Arrested at the scene were Michael Desautel, 18, from Nespelem, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Electric City. The police report said both were armed, one with a screwdriver and the other with a knife.

Police Officer Adam Hunt, who was on patrol only a couple of blocks away, got a report of glass being broken at the site and raced to the address while calling for a backup officer.

The place is known as “Brenchley’s Shop” and in earlier days housed a meat cutting shop there.

Hunt spotted two males inside the shop, and as one was exiting the south door, Hunt ordered him to come out with his hands up. He stepped back inside and locked the door.

He later was identified as Michael Desautel.

Meanwhile, police units from Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam arrived. Four units in all responded to the burglary.

Hunt forced open the door and Desautel, according to the report, exited and was handcuffed.

The officer entered the building and found the 17-year-old hiding behind a compressor in the meat cutting room.

Hunt received the call after a local resident reported to dispatch that he could hear glass being broken.

Entry to the building had been gained with a rock tossed through a window.

The 17-year-old had several cuts about his hands, apparently from broken glass.

When asked if he had any weapons, he replied that he had a knife. The officer found a box cutter in his possession with the blade fully extended.

A glass case with electrical tools inside had been broken and there was considerable damage inside the building, the report stated.

Desautel was taken to Grant County Jail and the minor to the juvenile center in Ephrata.